Bone tissue clamp

Abstract

Systems, methods, and kits incorporate a fusion member for vertebral processes. The fusion member may be unitary or modular. The fusion member comprises extensions configured to be crimped to vertebral processes. The extensions may comprise tabs configured to be deformed to further penetrate the vertebral processes. The tabs may also lock together modular components of the fusion member. The fusion member may comprise fasteners extending between the extensions. The fusion member may comprise a cage with a movable cover or a graft retention feature.

1. An H-shaped fusion member for fusing a first vertebral process on a first vertebra to a second vertebral process on a second vertebra, wherein the second vertebral process is adjacent to the first vertebral process, comprising:
 a cage forming a cross bar of the H-shape; 
 first and second plates projecting from the cage, the first and second plates forming a pair of ascending legs of the H-shape, wherein the first and second plates are deformable to pinch the first vertebral process; 
 third and fourth plates projecting from the cage, the third and fourth plates forming a pair of descending legs of the H-shape, wherein the third and fourth plates are deformable to pinch the second vertebral process; and 
 a first tab integrally formed within at least one of the first, second, third and fourth plates, wherein the tab is integral with the at least one plate along a first side, wherein a slit separates all remaining sides of the tab from the at least one plate, wherein the first tab is deformable to protrude from the at least one plate to penetrate at least one of the first and second vertebral processes. 
 
     
     
       2. The fusion member of  claim 1 , wherein the fusion member is formed as a unitary structure. 
     
     
       3. The fusion member of  claim 1 , wherein the fusion member comprises modular components. 
     
     
       4. The fusion member of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second vertebral processes are first and second spinous processes, respectively. 
     
     
       5. The fusion member of  claim 1 , wherein the cage comprises a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
       6. The fusion member of  claim 1 , wherein, after deformation, the tab points toward the cage. 
     
     
       7. The fusion member of  claim 1 , wherein, after deformation, the tab points away from the cage. 
     
     
       8. The fusion member of  claim 1 , wherein the first plate terminates with a first notch opposite the cage, wherein the second plate terminates with a second notch opposite the cage, wherein the third plate terminates with a narrow first protrusion opposite the cage, wherein the fourth plate terminates with a narrow second protrusion opposite the cage, wherein the first and second notches are complementary, with clearance, to the first and second protrusions, respectively. 
     
     
       9. The fusion member of  claim 1 , wherein the cage comprises an opening extending from a first open end of the cage to a second open end of the cage opposite the first open end, wherein, when the first vertebral process is pinched between the first and second plates and the second vertebral process is pinched between the third and fourth plates, the second open end of the cage is axial to the first open end of the cage. 
     
     
       10. The fusion member of  claim 9 , wherein the cage comprises a rib extending across the opening and between the first open end and the second open end. 
     
     
       11. The fusion member of  claim 9 , comprising a movable first cover over the first open end of the cage. 
     
     
       12. The fusion member of  claim 9 , comprising a second cover over the second open end of the cage. 
     
     
       13. The fusion member of  claim 9 , wherein the cage comprises a graft securing feature formed within the opening. 
     
     
       14. The fusion member of  claim 13 , wherein the graft securing feature is selected from the group consisting of a notch, a pin, a hook, a spike, and a barb. 
     
     
       15. The fusion member of  claim 1 , further comprising gripping members formed on the first, second, third, and fourth plates, wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are pinched between the first, second, third, and fourth plates, respectively, the gripping members sink into the vertebral processes. 
     
     
       16. The fusion member of  claim 15 , wherein the gripping members point toward the cage. 
     
     
       17. An H-shaped fusion member for fusing a first vertebral process on a first vertebra to a second vertebral process on a second vertebra, wherein the second vertebral process is adjacent to the first vertebral process, comprising:
 a cage forming a cross bar of the H-shape; 
 first and second plates projecting from the cage, the first and second plates forming a pair of ascending legs of the H-shape, wherein the first and second plates are bendable to grip the first vertebral process; 
 third and fourth plates projecting from the cage, the third and fourth plates forming a pair of descending legs of the H-shape, wherein the third and fourth plates are bendable to grip the second vertebral process; and 
 a first fastener extending from the cage, the first fastener located between at least one of the pair of ascending legs and the pair of descending legs, the first fastener securable to at least one of the first and second vertebral processes; 
 the fusion member further comprising first, second, third, and fourth tabs integrally formed within the first, second, third, and fourth plates, respectively, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth tabs are integral with the first, second, third, and fourth plates, respectively, along a first side of each tab, wherein a slit separates all remaining sides of each tab from the corresponding plate, wherein each tab is deformable to protrude from the corresponding plate to penetrate the corresponding vertebral process. 
 
     
     
       18. The fusion member of  claim 17 , wherein the fusion member is formed as a unitary structure. 
     
     
       19. The fusion member of  claim 17 , wherein the fusion member comprises modular components. 
     
     
       20. The fusion member of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second vertebral processes are first and second spinous processes, respectively, wherein the first and second spinous processes are bisected by a mid-sagittal plane, wherein, when the first fastener is secured to the at least one vertebral process, the first fastener is positioned along the mid-sagittal plane. 
     
     
       21. The fusion member of  claim 17 , wherein the first fastener is selected from the group consisting of nails, screws, spikes, and barbs. 
     
     
       22. The fusion member of  claim 17 , wherein the cage comprises an opening extending from a first open end of the cage to a second open end of the cage opposite the first open end, wherein, when the first vertebral process is pinched between the first and second plates and the second vertebral process is pinched between the third and fourth plates, the second open end of the cage is axial to the first open end of the cage. 
     
     
       23. The fusion member of  claim 22 , comprising a movable first cover over the first open end of the cage. 
     
     
       24. The fusion member of  claim 22 , comprising a second cover over the second open end of the cage. 
     
     
       25. The fusion member of  claim 22 , wherein the cage comprises a graft securing feature formed within the opening. 
     
     
       26. The fusion member of  claim 25 , wherein the graft securing feature is selected from the group consisting of a notch, a pin, a hook, a spike, and a barb. 
     
     
       27. An H-shaped fusion member for fusing a first vertebral process on a first vertebra to a second vertebral process on a second vertebra, wherein the second vertebral process is adjacent to the first vertebral process, comprising:
 a cage forming a cross bar of the H-shape, the cage comprising an opening extending along an axis from a first open end of the cage to a second open end of the cage opposite the first open end; 
 first and second plates projecting from the cage in a direction transverse to the axis, the first and second plates forming a pair of ascending legs of the H-shape, wherein the first and second plates are crimpable to compress the first vertebral process; 
 third and fourth plates projecting from the cage, the third and fourth plates forming a pair of descending legs of the H-shape, wherein the third and fourth plates are crimpable to compress the second vertebral process; and 
 a movable first cover over the first open end of the cage; 
 the fusion member further comprising at least one tab integrally formed within each of the first, second, third, and fourth plates, respectively, wherein the tabs are integral with the first, second, third, and fourth plates, respectively, along a first side of each tab, wherein a slit separates all remaining sides of each tab from the corresponding plate, wherein each tab is deformable to protrude from the corresponding plate to penetrate the corresponding vertebral process. 
 
     
     
       28. The fusion member of  claim 27 , wherein the fusion member is formed as a unitary structure. 
     
     
       29. The fusion member of  claim 27 , wherein the fusion member comprises modular components. 
     
     
       30. The fusion member of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second vertebral processes are first and second spinous processes, respectively. 
     
     
       31. The fusion member of  claim 27 , wherein the first cover is movable between a closed position in which the first cover blocks the first open end of the cage, and an open position in which the first cover is displaced from the first open end of the cage to provide access therethrough. 
     
     
       32. The fusion member of  claim 27 , comprising a second cover over the second open end of the cage. 
     
     
       33. The fusion member of  claim 27 , wherein the cage comprises a graft securing feature formed within the opening. 
     
     
       34. The fusion member of  claim 33 , wherein the graft securing feature is selected from the group consisting of a notch, a pin, a hook, a spike, and a barb. 
     
     
       35. An H-shaped fusion member for fusing a first vertebral process on a first vertebra to a second vertebral process on a second vertebra, wherein the second vertebral process is adjacent to the first vertebral process, comprising:
 a cage forming a cross bar of the H-shape; 
 first and second plates projecting from the cage, the first and second plates forming a pair of ascending legs of the H-shape, wherein the first and second plates are deformable to clamp the first vertebral process; 
 third and fourth plates projecting from the cage, the third and fourth plates forming a pair of descending legs of the H-shape, wherein the third and fourth plates are deformable to clamp the second vertebral process; and 
 a graft securing feature formed within the cage; 
 the fusion member further comprising at least one tab integrally formed within each of the first, second, third, and fourth plates, respectively, wherein the tabs are integral with the first, second, third, and fourth plates, respectively, along a first side of each tab, wherein a slit separates all remaining sides of each tab from the corresponding plate, wherein each tab is deformable to protrude from the corresponding plate to penetrate the corresponding vertebral process. 
 
     
     
       36. The fusion member of  claim 35 , wherein the fusion member is formed as a unitary structure. 
     
     
       37. The fusion member of  claim 35 , wherein the fusion member comprises modular components. 
     
     
       38. The fusion member of  claim 35 , wherein the first and second vertebral processes are first and second spinous processes, respectively. 
     
     
       39. The fusion member of  claim 35 , wherein the graft securing feature is selected from the group consisting of a notch, a pin, a hook, a spike, and a barb. 
     
     
       40. The fusion member of  claim 35 , comprising a movable first cover over the first open end of the cage. 
     
     
       41. The fusion member of  claim 35 , comprising a second cover over the second open end of the cage. 
     
     
       42. A fusion member for fusing a first vertebral process on a first vertebra to a second vertebral process on a second vertebra, wherein the second vertebral process is adjacent to the first vertebral process, comprising:
 a first clamping member, wherein the first clamping member comprises a channel; 
 a second clamping member like the first clamping member, wherein the second clamping member is disposed in back to back relationship with the first clamping member and spaced apart therefrom; 
 a first plate secured to a first side of the first and second clamping members; and 
 a second plate secured to a second side of the first and second clamping members; 
 wherein the first clamping member, the first plate, and the second plate each terminate with a first notch opposite the second clamping member, wherein the second clamping member, the first plate, and the second plate each terminate with a first protrusion opposite the first clamping member, wherein the first notch is complementary to the first protrusion with clearance therebetween; 
 wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are positioned within the first and second clamping members, respectively, the fusion member is permanently deformable to pinch the first and second vertebral processes. 
 
     
     
       43. The fusion member of  claim 42 , wherein the first and second vertebral processes are first and second spinous processes, respectively. 
     
     
       44. The fusion member of  claim 42 , wherein each of the first and second clamping members comprises a plurality of apertures, wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are pinched between the first and second clamping members, the apertures are proximate the vertebral processes. 
     
     
       45. The fusion member of  claim 42 , comprising a cover secured to one of the first and second plates, the cover extending between the first and second plates, the cover extending between the first and second clamping members. 
     
     
       46. The fusion member of  claim 42 , further comprising gripping members formed on the first and second clamping members, wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are pinched between the first and second clamping members, respectively, the gripping members sink into the vertebral processes. 
     
     
       47. The fusion member of  claim 46 , wherein at least a portion of the gripping members on one of the first and second clamping members point toward the other of the first and second clamping members. 
     
     
       48. The fusion member of  claim 42 , further comprising at least one tab integrally formed within each of the first and second plates, respectively, wherein each tab is deformable to protrude from the corresponding plate to penetrate the corresponding vertebral process. 
     
     
       49. The fusion member of  claim 48 , wherein the tab is integral with the corresponding plate along a first side, wherein a slit separates all remaining sides of the tab from the corresponding plate. 
     
     
       50. The fusion member of  claim 48 , wherein at least one of the first and second clamping members comprises an opening adjacent to each tab, wherein each opening is complementary to the corresponding tab with clearance therebetween. 
     
     
       51. The fusion member of  claim 50 , wherein, after deformation, each tab protrudes through the corresponding opening to secure the corresponding plate to the corresponding clamping member. 
     
     
       52. The fusion member of  claim 42 , comprising a cover secured to one of the first and second plates, the cover extending between the first and second plates, the cover extending between the first and second clamping members. 
     
     
       53. A fusion member for fusing a first vertebral process on a first vertebra to a second vertebral process on a second vertebra, wherein the second vertebral process is adjacent to the first vertebral process, comprising:
 a first clamping member, wherein the first clamping member comprises a channel; 
 a second clamping member like the first clamping member, wherein the second clamping member is disposed in back to back relationship with the first clamping member and spaced apart therefrom; 
 a first plate secured to a first side of the first and second clamping members; and 
 a second plate secured to a second side of the first and second clamping members; 
 wherein the fusion member further comprises at least one tab integrally formed within each of the first and second plates, respectively, wherein the tab is integral with the corresponding plate along a first side, wherein a slit separates all remaining sides of the tab from the corresponding plate; 
 wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are positioned within the first and second clamping members, respectively, the fusion member is permanently deformable to pinch the first and second vertebral processes and each tab is deformable to protrude from the corresponding plate to penetrate the corresponding vertebral process. 
 
     
     
       54. The fusion member of  claim 53 , wherein the first and second vertebral processes are first and second spinous processes, respectively. 
     
     
       55. The fusion member of  claim 53 , wherein each of the first and second clamping members comprises a plurality of apertures, wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are pinched between the first and second clamping members, the apertures are proximate the vertebral processes. 
     
     
       56. The fusion member of  claim 53 , comprising a cover secured to one of the first and second plates, the cover extending between the first and second plates, the cover extending between the first and second clamping members. 
     
     
       57. The fusion member of  claim 53 , further comprising gripping members formed on the first and second clamping members, wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are pinched between the first and second clamping members, respectively, the gripping members sink into the vertebral processes. 
     
     
       58. The fusion member of  claim 57 , wherein at least a portion of the gripping members on one of the first and second clamping members point toward the other of the first and second clamping members. 
     
     
       59. The fusion member of  claim 53 , wherein at least one of the first and second clamping members comprises an opening adjacent to each tab, wherein each opening is complementary to the corresponding tab with clearance therebetween. 
     
     
       60. The fusion member of  claim 59 , wherein, after deformation, each tab protrudes through the corresponding opening to secure the corresponding plate to the corresponding clamping member. 
     
     
       61. A fusion member for fusing a first vertebral process on a first vertebra to a second vertebral process on a second vertebra, wherein the second vertebral process is adjacent to the first vertebral process, comprising:
 a first clamping member, wherein the first clamping member comprises a channel; 
 a second clamping member like the first clamping member, wherein the second clamping member is disposed in back to back relationship with the first clamping member and spaced apart therefrom; 
 a first plate secured to a first side of the first and second clamping members; and 
 a second plate secured to a second side of the first and second clamping members; 
 wherein the fusion member further comprises at least one tab integrally formed within each of the first and second plates, respectively; 
 wherein at least one of the first and second clamping members comprises an opening adjacent to each tab, wherein each opening is complementary to the corresponding tab with clearance therebetween; 
 wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are positioned within the first and second clamping members, respectively, the fusion member is permanently deformable to pinch the first and second vertebral processes and each tab is deformable to protrude from the corresponding plate to penetrate the corresponding vertebral process. 
 
     
     
       62. The fusion member of  claim 61 , wherein the first and second vertebral processes are first and second spinous processes, respectively. 
     
     
       63. The fusion member of  claim 61 , wherein each of the first and second clamping members comprises a plurality of apertures, wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are pinched between the first and second clamping members, the apertures are proximate the vertebral processes. 
     
     
       64. The fusion member of  claim 61 , further comprising gripping members formed on the first and second clamping members, wherein, when the first and second vertebral processes are pinched between the first and second clamping members, respectively, the gripping members sink into the vertebral processes. 
     
     
       65. The fusion member of  claim 64 , wherein at least a portion of the gripping members on one of the first and second clamping members point toward the other of the first and second clamping members. 
     
     
       66. The fusion member of  claim 61 , wherein, after deformation, each tab protrudes through the corresponding opening to secure the corresponding plate to the corresponding clamping member.